Basil Fawlty - and John Cleese - are coming home to Torquay

John Cleese and Basil Fawlty are coming home to Torquay.

It has been announced that the comedy legend will return to Torquay on April 14 for the first time in over 50 years for the opening night of 'Fawlty Towers - The Play' at Torquay's Princess Theatre.

Torquay is famous as the inspiration behind the much-loved BBC comedy, which 50 years on comes to life on stage holding a special place in the history of Fawlty Towers. 

The iconic TV series was based on the antics experienced by the Monty Python team when they stayed at the former Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay in 1970 and came across owner Donald Sinclair who was the inspiration for Basil Fawlty.  

John Cleese Picture Dave J Hogan

Adapted for the stage by John Cleese himself, he has chosen three of his favourite original TV episodes - ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from series one and ‘Communication Problems’ from series two - and adapted them into a two-hour play, complete with a new finale. 

The play has already delighted critics and audiences in London's West End and on its UK tour and received a wealth of five-star reviews and nightly standing ovations. 

The production stars Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Mia Austen as wife Sybil, Hemi Yeroham reprising his role as madcap waiter Manuel, Joanne Clifton as Polly and Paul Nicholas reprising his role as The Major. 

Its arrival in Torquay brings the story full circle, celebrating the show in the very place that inspired it. The production will run at the Princess Theatre, Torquay from Tuesday April 14 to Saturday April 18. 

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